More than a year and a half ago, Mike Seif, left, poses with his wife and their son before beginning his diet and exercise overhaul.
It was just over 18 months ago that I stood outside the fitness room at the Avalon Park YMCA staring through the large glass wall, mesmerized by about a dozen people on single wheeled bicycles frantically pedaling yet seemingly going nowhere. Little did I know I was about to join them, and embark on a journey of my own.
The previous 14 years of my life, there was never any time to go to exercise and most of the food I consumed was what was easy and available. Ultimately, it took a toll on my body. As I got older, my metabolism slowed down, but the bad eating habits I acquired over the years still remained. I was probably in partial denial as well. My weight had skyrocketed from 150 to 235 pounds.
When I visited doctors they would all tell me my blood pressure was dangerously high and I needed to address the issue. I would check my blood pressure whenever I went to Publix at the machine in the front of the store and they were right, my levels were always in the hyertension II category.
I knew deep down that I was going to have to commit myself to losing weight and overcome these issues. My son was 2-years-old at this point and I knew if I did not do something soon, I may not be around to see him grow much older.
Today, Mike Seif has lost more than 75 pounds on his continuing fitness journey.
Back out in front of the glass wall, outside the exercise room at the YMCA, I watched the studio cycling class pedal in place and stand up and sit down for 45 minutes at a time. I never imagined that I could, or would, ever participate. I began to diet, exercise and even push myself to do cardio. And it worked – I began to feel healthier and lose weight within the first week. As my new routine continued, I found I was at a point where my weight loss had slowed rather dramatically. I was looking for something to take me to the next level, if you will. So, after nearly a year of watching, I finally got the nerve to grab a bike and saddle up.
I managed to hobble my way through an entire class – my clothes were completely drenched in sweat by the end. When I got home and my wife saw how soaked I was she immediately looked outside to see if it was raining. It was 100 percent perspiration that I earned! I finally found an exercise I could do on a regular basis that was incredibly effective and even enjoyable. I was hooked. It got to the point where if I couldn’t make it in on certain nights, classmates and instructors were genuinely disappointed when I missed a class.
Now, 18 months later, I have lost 75 pounds and am still going. I still regularly check my blood pressure at the grocery store but it is now at the low part of the acceptable range. My cholesterol levels are also very low and I scored a 97 for my company physical.
Across the board, the staff at the Y have been amazing and continually inspire me to keep coming back. I am constantly leaning new and innovative ways from them to exercise and my progress continues. I frequently bring my son to the Kids Center where he plays games and does art while I exercise. My wife also attends the Yoga classes and is really enjoying them as well.
I used to think that the value of a gym was based on the equipment and amenities. However, after getting to know the staff and people at the YMCA in Avalon Park, I have learned the true value is in the people who work and belong there. It is because of them that I keep coming back. So my journey continues.
Article by Mike Seif
